Chapter 22 - NATALIE CALLS HER A LIAR
Natalie’s attorney attempted to stop the recording.
He argued that the lamp violated privacy.
The judge ruled that a victim could record inside the room where she was confined.
Selena testified that Margaret activated it herself.
Natalie called her a disgruntled employee.
Selena remained calm.
“I was dismissed because I opened a door you wanted closed.”
The first recording played.
Natalie’s voice filled the courtroom.
Stay in there.
Stop interfering with our lives.
Margaret’s weak reply followed.
Andrew will come home.
Natalie laughed.
Andrew sees what I prepare for him to see.
Natalie stared straight ahead.
The second recording captured Dominic discussing the guardianship.
The third captured the fake doctor recommending additional sedatives.
The fourth captured Natalie demanding Margaret’s signature.
When Margaret refused, a glass of water was moved across the table.
Sign, and you can drink.
The sound of pen against paper followed.
Natalie stood again.
“These recordings are fabricated.”
Dominic looked toward her.
“You approved each one during discovery.”
“I approved excerpts.”
“Your voice is clear.”
“Anyone can imitate a voice.”
Detective Shaw introduced metadata from the recorder.
Dates.
Times.
Unbroken file histories.
The old lamp had uploaded the recordings automatically.
No one could alter them without leaving a trace.
Natalie’s control began to disappear.
She turned toward Andrew.
“You know me.”
He looked at her.
“I knew the person you performed for me.”
“I loved you.”
“Maybe.”
The answer frightened her.
Andrew was no longer trying to decide whether every affectionate memory was genuine.
Love did not erase deliberate harm.
Natalie faced Margaret.
“You wanted him to choose you.”
Margaret shook her head.
“I wanted my son to see me.”
“I gave up years of my life caring for you.”
“You were paid.”
“I changed your clothes.”
“After locking the door.”
“I brought you food.”
“After withholding it.”
Natalie’s voice rose.
“She made this house unbearable.”
The judge ordered her to sit.
Natalie remained standing.
“She watched every decision. She controlled every dollar. She never let us live.”
Margaret’s expression contained sorrow.
Not sympathy.
“You could have left.”
The sentence ended Natalie’s final excuse.
She had not been trapped.
She had chosen the mansion.
The marriage.
The plan.
The locked room.
The judge denied the guardianship petition.
Margaret retained full control over her life and property.
Natalie’s bond was immediately revoked.
Before officers reached her, she pointed at Andrew.
“Open your briefcase.”
Andrew looked down.
May you like
The black leather briefcase rested beside him.
“You still don’t know what your mother hid from you.”
